Eight routes by car through the landscapes of Galicia

The "Scenarios behind the wheel" program, presented by Turismo de Galicia, invites you to take a journey of almost a thousand kilometers with 25 routes through the best coastal and mountain landscapes, and through 50 essential viewpoints in the region.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
20 March 2023 Monday 08:49
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Eight routes by car through the landscapes of Galicia

The "Scenarios behind the wheel" program, presented by Turismo de Galicia, invites you to take a journey of almost a thousand kilometers with 25 routes through the best coastal and mountain landscapes, and through 50 essential viewpoints in the region. We show you a small selection of these proposals.

On the border between Galicia and Asturias, the town of Ribadeo is the beginning of this first route that reaches the peak of A Frouxeira through the Cantabrian Sea. The itinerary continues along the coast, dominated by four stops: the Illa Pancha Lighthouse, Rinlo, As Catedrais Beach and Punta do Castro. The final section, now in the municipality of Foz, runs along the Masma River estuary to Pico da Frouxeira, a 427-meter-high rock.

For the second proposal, the destination will be Estaca de Bares, the northernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula, which can be accessed by an inland route from O Porto de Espasante. Halfway to O Porto do Barqueiro, a detour is recommended to visit the Loiba bank, considered the best in the world for its incredible views of the Atlantic. Back on the road, and past O Barqueiro, is Porto de Bares, the closest coastal town to the Bares lighthouse, where the tour ends.

The Ártabra coast is another interesting itinerary, from the fishing village of Cedeira, in the northwest of Galicia, to Cape Ortegal. The route includes some of the most spectacular viewpoints in A Coruña, including a stop at Santo André de Teixido to see the landscape of the Serra de A Capelada. Following the path that runs through the Ensenada de Santo André, the Gabeiras Islands, Punta de O Cadro and Punta de O Limo, the last stop before reaching the destination will be the town of Cariño, where the final stretch to the lighthouse will begin. Cape Ortegal.

The fourth route is located to the southwest of the territory, in Fisterra, that legendary place where the earth ends, although in this case it will be the beginning of this journey that will have the O Ézaro Viewpoint as its destination, a natural balcony with a waterfall that gives Name this village. The itinerary skirts the interior Atlantic coast, a route that joins Monte do Facho, at the beginning, and Monte Pindo, at the end, passing through the villages of Fisterra, Langosteira beach, the Cabo Cee Lighthouse in Corcubión and, finally, Ezaro beach.

Although the beaches and cliffs of the Galician coast are an attraction to drive around, the interior offers unbeatable natural landscapes. Between A Fonsagrada and Negueira de Muñiz, for example, you can visit part of the Navia valley, which runs towards Asturias. The route begins in this village at 949 meters above sea level, and runs through the valley, turning off at Liñares de Bidul and following the course of the river through A Fornaza and Arexo, with an impressive viewpoint. The destination, Negueria de Muñiz, will make its way through meadows and crops. There, the church of San Salvador and the rectory, from the 16th century, are two recommended visits.

The Ribeira Sacra is another of the best-known landscapes in Galicia, located between the south of Lugo and the north of Ourense. Starting the route in the town of Monforte de Lemos, a railway landmark in the area, it continues to Doade, from where you can see the Sil river in all its fullness, and descends through vineyards to the Souto Chao viewpoint. After Castro Caldelas, the route continues through the Sil Canyon until reaching the final point of the itinerary, the Monastery of Santo Estevo de Rivas de Sil.

The following route, which goes from Montederramo to Manzaneda, runs through the Orense Massif Central to discover the only mountain station in the territory. Starting from the monastery of Santa María, you will visit several villages that follow the course of the Mao river until it surrounds the Queixa reservoir. The lands of Chandrexa, passing through Paradaseca, reach Grande de Manzaneda, the only Galician mountain range where you can practice snow activities.

With the excuse of combining heritage, nature and good gastronomy with great wines from the province, the latest proposal will follow the river Miño from the city of Ourense to the town of Ribadavia. After visiting its cathedral, the As Burgas hot springs or the Praza de O Trigo, the road heads towards the riverside promenade and its successive bridges, such as the Milenio or the Outariz Hot Springs, two recommended stops. The last section will reach the Castrelo nautical park to end the route in Ribadavia, a cultural wine village.